Raising BPJS Health Fees For Class I And II Again, President Jokowi Is Considered Insensitive

JAKARTA - President Joko Widodo (Jokowi) has again raised the BPJS Health premium, after it had previously been canceled. This increase is contained in Presidential Decree Number 64 of 2020 concerning the Second Amendment to Presidential Regulation Number 82 of 2018 concerning Health Insurance.

The regulation was signed by President Joko Widodo on Tuesday, May 5. The increase in contributions for non-wage worker (PBPU) and non-worker (BP) independent participants is regulated in Article 34.The following reads:

The Class I Contribution of Rp. 150 thousand per person per month is paid by PBPU Participants and BP Participants or other parties on behalf of Participants.

Class II Contribution of Rp. 100 thousand per person per month is paid by PBPU Participants and BP Participants or other parties on behalf of Participants.

The Class III contribution in 2020 is IDR 25,500, in 2021 and the following year it is IDR 35 thousand.

This Presidential Regulation states, the provisions for the amount of contributions above will take effect on July 1.

Previously, in 2018, Jokowi signed Presidential Decree Number 82 of 2018 concerning Health Insurance. The contributions are:

a. As much as IDR 25,500 for class III

b. IDR 51 thousand for class II

c. As much as Rp. 80 thousand for class I

Then, in 2019 Jokowi again signed Presidential Decree Number 75 of 2019 concerning Health Insurance. The amount of contributions is changed to:

1. IDR 42,000 per person per month with service benefits in Class III treatment rooms

2. Rp110,000 per person per month with service benefits in Class II treatment room; or

3. Rp160,000 per person per month with service benefits in Class I treatment rooms.

In early 2020, the Supreme Court canceled Presidential Decree Number 75 of 2019 concerning Health Insurance. So, the BPJS Kesehatan fee will be canceled. So that the contributions for April, May, and June, are:

a. As much as IDR 25,500 for class III

b. IDR 51 thousand for class II

c. As much as Rp. 80 thousand for class I

In response to this, BPJS Watch advocacy coordinator Timboel Siregar assessed the decision to increase the BPJS Health premium for classes I and II through Presidential Decree Number 64 of 2020 concerning the Second Amendment to Presidential Decree Number 82 of 2018 concerning Health Insurance, a sign that the government is not sensitive to the conditions of the people in the middle. the corona virus pandemic or COVID-19.

"In a pandemic like this, it is very clear and visible that the purchasing power of the community, including independent participants, which are dominated by informal workers, has fallen greatly. Informal workers find it difficult to work as usual because of COVID-19," he said, in a written statement received by VOI, at Jakarta, Wednesday, May 13.

Timboel explained that the Supreme Court judge's decision lowering the national health insurance (JKN) contributions of independent participants explained two legal considerations, namely the people's purchasing power is still low, and the two BPJS health services have not improved.

With these two legal considerations, said Timboel, the Supreme Court judge canceled the independent participant's fee that had already increased. According to him, with this legal consideration, the government should try to increase people's purchasing power and improve BPJS Health services, then increase the JKN contribution.

Timboel revealed, BPJS services, in the era of COVID-19, BPJS services tend to decline. Then, he gave an example of cases that often occur and become problems today, when a JKN patient is hospitalized, he has to do a COVID-19 test, and the patient is asked to pay IDR 750 thousand for the test.

"Even though it is very clear in article 86 of Presidential Decree 82 of 2018, JKN patients should not be asked for any more fees. There are JKN patients who, because they cannot afford Rp. 750 thousand, go home, they should be treated at the hospital. The patient died at home. I can't write it here, "he said.